Dear Friend of Align,
As a supporter of Align Life Ministries, we consider you part
of our extended family. As such, we want to let you know
that our beloved colleague Kati Swisher went to be with Jesus on May 17, 2022.
Kati battled a rare, aggressive cancer since May of 2019.
Over the past three years she continued to serve with
excellence at Align, working full-time as much as possible
and eventually part-time during her treatments.
Kati was part of Align for the past 28 years, having served in seven different leadership roles—including Acting President while I was home caring for my late husband Ron. Her most recent role was Executive Vice President.
To know Kati was to love her and be loved by her. Kati exuded the mercy, grace, and wisdom of Jesus and poured all of that into the people, culture, and decision-making at Align. She is deeply missed.
Throughout her journey with Jesus through cancer, Kati very intentionally embraced life. If it was possible for her to show even more love, individualized care for staff, and thoughtful wisdom for the ministry at large – Kati did. She deeply desired to be healed from cancer, but she was confident that God knew the number of her days. So she purposed to live each day to the full—not crossing off items from her own bucket list, but rather pouring herself into others.
As a ministry family, God has taught us to not back away from grief and tears, but rather to lean into them. To talk about the harsh realities of disease and death. To revel in the goodness of God and eternity. He's taught us that the glass is actually half full and half empty. Yes, Kati is in heaven with Jesus, and yes, we miss her terribly. And it's healthy to express both. So tears and rejoicing are intermingled at Align these days—along with an increased passion for our clients to know Jesus.
In God's kindness and wisdom, He has raised up a strong, well-rounded Leadership Team for Align. Matt Kocher has been on our Leadership Team since he became VP of Resources & Communications two years ago. Debbie Davenport has served in pregnancy ministry for decades and joined our Leadership Team when she came on staff 10 months ago as VP of Strategic Partnerships & Prayer. And Julie Baum, Supporter Relations Director, has been at Align for 11 years and began serving with our Leadership Team several months ago.
Our hearts are both weathered and strengthened as we continue our mission of proclaiming the gospel and championing life. There's something about losing a cherished loved one that emboldens one's soul to the cause of Jesus, the cause of the gospel, and the cause of life.
Onward for Jesus and life,
Lisa Hosler
President
